Passenger air shield

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are directed toward an air directing device that can interface with an aircraft to form an air curtain. The air directing device can include a housing with one or more inlets and one or more outlets. An engagement component can engage the air directing device with a PSU of an aircraft. The air directing device can receive air from the PSU through the inlet and direct the air to the outlets. The outlets can include nozzles that output the air curtain.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63/037,310, filed Jun. 10, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/078,161, filed Sep. 14, 2020, the entire contents of both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for allpurposes.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a fluid directingdevice and, more particularly, to devices that generate air curtains onan aircraft.

BACKGROUND

Passengers traveling in close contact, for example, in an aircraft, canspread pathogens by coughing, sneezing, breathing, and/or talking. Thespread of pathogens, for example bacteria and viruses, can cause thespread of infectious diseases, for example the coronavirus disease(COVID-19). Physical barriers can be placed between passengers to reducethe spread of pathogens, however, these barriers can cause discomfort topassengers, impede walkways, and become contaminated, which can infectother travelers who come in contact with the barriers. It can bedesirable to have a directed air that reduces the spread of pathogenswithout having to place a physical object between passengers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a passenger aircraft,showing overhead panels and storage compartments;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another version of overhead panels in apassenger aircraft;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a passengerair-conditioning duct circuit and corresponding air flows;

FIG. 4 is an isometric perspective view of an example vent adapter thattransforms the air flows of FIG. 3 into an air curtain;

FIG. 5 is an isometric bottom-plan view of the vent adapter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vent adapter of FIG. 4 installed inan overhead panel in a passenger aircraft;

FIG. 7 is a schematic overhead plan view of the vent adapter of FIG. 4installed in the overhead panel and the air curtain generated by thevent adapter;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another example vent adapter thattransforms the air flows of FIG. 3 into an air curtain;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example vent adapter thattransforms the air flows of FIG. 3 into an air curtain;

FIG. 10 is schematic overhead plan view of an example vent adapterinstalled in an overhead panel in a passenger aircraft and the aircurtain generated by the vent adapter;

FIG. 11 is perspective view of another example vent adapter thattransforms the air flows of FIG. 3 into an air curtain;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of air curtains generated by one or moreexample vent adapters;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example vent adapter thattransforms the air flows of FIG. 3 into air curtains;

FIG. 14 is a schematic overhead view of air-curtain projectionsgenerated by the vent adapter of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic overhead view of air-curtain projectionsgenerated by an example vent adapter;

FIG. 16A illustrates a portion of an aircraft environment including anexample air directing device, in accordance with embodiments;

FIG. 16B illustrates an example installation of the example airdirecting device of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 17 illustrates various air shield projections generated by theexample air directing device of FIG. 16A;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D show various views of an example airdirecting device that can be included in particular embodiments of theaircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D show various views of another example airdirecting device that can be included in particular embodiments of theaircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 20 shows an additional example air directing device that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG.16A;

FIG. 21A shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 21B shows a cross-section view of the air directing device of FIG.21A;

FIG. 22A shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 22B shows a detailed portion of the air directing device of FIG.22A;

FIG. 23 shows a detailed portion of a blade nozzle for use with theexample air directing device of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 24 shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 25 shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 26 shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 27 shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 28 shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A:

FIG. 29 shows an additional example air directing device that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG.16A;

FIG. 30 shows a portion of the aircraft environment, including variousexample air directing devices that can be included in particularembodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIGS. 31A and 31B show another example air directing device that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG.16A;

FIG. 32 shows another example air directing device that can be includedin particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIGS. 33A and 33B show example blade nozzles that can be included inparticular embodiments of the air directing device of FIG. 16A;

FIG. 34 shows a portion of the aircraft environment, including variousexample air directing devices that can be included in particularembodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG. 16A;

FIGS. 35A and 35B show another example air directing device that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG.16A;

FIGS. 36A and 36B show another example air directing device that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment of FIG.16A; and

FIGS. 37A through 37C show another example air directing device that canbe included in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment ofFIG. 16A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, various embodiments will be described. Forpurposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments.However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that theembodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore,well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscurethe embodiment being described.

During air travel, passengers can be positioned in close proximity toone another which may lead to the spread of pathogens. For example,aircraft seats can be positioned in rows with some room betweenpassengers seated in a row. Due to the limited space, placing physicalbarriers (e.g., plastic, Plexiglas, and/or barriers made of similarmaterial) between seats to limit the spread of pathogens can causediscomfort to the passengers. Additionally, physical barriers can becomecontaminated which can cause passengers to become infected.

A non-physical barrier can provide the benefits of a physical barrierwithout causing discomfort and/or becoming contaminated. An air curtainis an example of non-physical barrier that can be positioned betweenpassengers on an aircraft to prevent the spread of pathogens. Forexample, an air curtain can be positioned between passengers seated inthe same row, passengers seated in different rows, passengers seatedacross aisles, and/or passengers seated in different sections of anaircraft.

Air curtains have been proposed as an alternative to physical barriers,often to separate smokers from non-smokers, define different temperaturezones, and sometimes to impede the spread of bacteria or viruses. Onesuch representative proposal is disclosed in JPH1159597, which proposesusing the air curtain to separate a group of seats intended for smokersfrom a group of seats intended for non-smokers, but this proposalsuffers from a variety of problems, including difficulty andinvasiveness of installation, inability to separate passengers within agiven one of the groups, and others. Another representative proposal toseparate smokers from non-smokers is disclosed in JPS611528, whichproposes using air curtains blowing in an upward direction and exhaustvacuums disposed above the air curtains to discharge the air through thevehicle's trunk, but this proposal also suffers from a variety ofproblems, including difficulty and invasiveness of installation, largepower consumption on a per-passenger basis, potentially increasing theamount of time that droplets remain suspended in the air by blowing themupward, and others. A further representative proposal is disclosed inJP2011030719, which proposes using ozone or charged air curtains toreduce transmission of bacteria or viruses between passengers in apublic transportation vehicle, but this proposal also suffers from avariety of problems, including difficult and invasiveness ofinstallation, large power consumption on a per-passenger basis,insufficient protection to passengers, and others.

Examples herein are directed to, among other things, systems andtechniques relating to an air directing device that can interface withan aircraft to form an air curtain. The techniques described herein maybe implement by any air directing device, but particular examplesdescribed herein include an air directing device having a housing withone or more inlets and one or more outlets. An engagement component canbe positioned on the exterior of the housing to engage the air directingdevice with a passenger service unit (PSU) of an aircraft. The airdirecting device can receive air from the PSU in the inlet and directthe air to the outlet. The outlet can be or include a nozzle that canoutput an air curtain. The air curtain can extend, for example, betweenpassengers positioned beneath the air directing device.

Turning now to a particular example, in this example, the air directingdevice can include a housing that defines an interior volume. Thehousing can include an upper surface defining a first upper aperture, alower surface defining a first lower aperture, and curved sidewallsextending between the upper and lower surfaces. The first lower aperturecan include an interior side with a sloped edge and an exterior flangeextending from the lower surface around a periphery of the first loweraperture to form a blade nozzle. The air device can also include aninterface coupled with the upper surface and configured to engage theupper surface with a PSU such that the upper aperture can receive aportion of the PSU.

While exemplary embodiments are described with reference to aircraft,and the like, the systems and techniques described herein are alsoapplicable to any other vehicles (e.g., cars, buses, trains, and othersimilar vehicles).

As shown in FIG. 1, passenger compartments of vehicles, such as thepassenger compartment 2 of an aircraft, often have an array 4 of panelsdisposed overhead of passenger seats or standing positions. In aircraft,the panel array 4 is typically disposed below overhead storagecompartments, such as a storage compartment 6. In some aircraft, thepanel array 4 includes a passenger service unit (PSU), such as a PSU 8,for each passenger seat or set of passenger seats in a row on one sideof an aisle or between aisles. As shown in FIG. 2, a PSU 10 typicallyincludes one or more passenger vents that have vent covers or valves,such as gasper vents 12-16, (typically one per passenger seat). The PSU10 may also include other features, including lights such as a readinglight 18, passenger interface controls such as a reading light control20 or an attendant-call control 32, passenger notification indicatorssuch as a no-smoking indicator 34, speakers such as a speaker 36, orothers. As shown in FIG. 1, some airplane configurations implement oneor more of such features on other panels, such as speaker panels.Speaker panels and blank panels, such as a speaker panel 38 and a blankpanel 40, may be interspersed between the PSUs in the array (see FIG.1).

Passenger vents in vehicles typically exhaust temperature-controlled airflows from one or more portions of environmental control systems of thevehicles, such as air conditioning pack exhaust systems. As shown inFIG. 3, an air conditioning pack exhaust system in an aircraft typicallyincludes a duct system 42 that delivers temperature-controlled air flowsto the passenger vents, such as gasper vents 12-16. The duct system 42typically includes a main duct such as an upper duct 44, duct branchessuch as a duct branch 46 that fluidly couples the upper duct 44 to abranch duct such as a flexible hose 48, and a vent duct such as a gasperduct 50 disposed opposite the branch duct from the duct branch. Thepassenger or gasper vents are typically coupled to the gasper ducts tofacilitate distributing the air flows in the air conditioning packexhaust system (represented by arrows in FIG. 3) to the passengers. Thedistributed air is typically exhausted from the passenger vents in asolid frustum shape, such as a solid conical frustum or solid pyramidalfrustum.

An example vent adapter 62 is shown in FIG. 4. The vent adapter 62 canbe configured to replace a vent cover or valve, such as a gasper vent,and transform air flows typically delivered to the vent cover or valvesuch as the air flow of FIG. 3 into an air curtain. As shown in FIG. 4,the vent adapter 62 preferably includes an air-supply interface such asa gasper-air-supply interface 64, a vent mechanical interface such as agasper mechanical interface 66, and a blade nozzle 68. As shown in FIG.5, the outlet of the blade nozzle 68 is schematically represented by awhite line and can be configured to transform an air flow received bythe vent adapter 62 into an air curtain. The blade nozzle 68 can bedesigned based on a computational fluid dynamics analysis of theparticular model of vehicle in which the vent adapter 62 is intended tobe installed. In other versions, the blade nozzle 68 is designed foruniversal implementation across many or all models of vehicles in whichthe air-supply interface 64 and the vent interface 66 fit. Theair-supply interface 64 is configured to mate with a vent duct such asthe gasper duct 50. The mechanical interface 66 is configured to coupleto a vent cover, valve, or valve receiver of the vent. Preferably, themechanical interface 66 is configured to be received by a gasper socketdisposed in a PSU. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, a gasper vent may beremoved from a previously installed PSU in an aircraft, and thegasper-vent adapter 62 may be installed in the PSU to facilitate quick,inexpensive, and simple installation and also to facilitate transformingthe air flows previously delivered to the gasper vent into an aircurtain between adjacent seats without interfering with other featuresor access to such features in the vehicle.

FIG. 7 provides a schematic representation of air curtains 70-74generated by vent adapters such as vent adapters 62, 76, 78 installed ina vehicle such as an aircraft. As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle may haverows of passenger seats such as row 80, which includes seats 92-96disposed between an exterior wall 98 of the vehicle and an aisleschematically represented by line 100. The vent adapters 62, 76, 78 arepreferably fluidly coupled to passenger vents 102-106 and transform theair flows from the passenger vents 102-106 into the air curtains 70-74.Accordingly, the vent adapters 62, 76, 78 facilitate protectingpassengers in adjacent seats in a given row from each other by pushingdroplets emitted by the passengers downward, thereby decreasing thedistance that the droplets travel and the time that the droplets areairborne. The air curtains 70-74 facilitate greater protection than thefrustum emitted by the typical passenger vent such as a gasper ventbecause the vent adapters 62, 76, 78 concentrate the air flows intoplanar air flows instead of the entire volume of the frustum, therebyincreasing the velocity of the air in the air curtains 70-74 compared tothe velocity of the air in the frustum. Moreover, such protection isprovided without directing the air flows directly at the faces of thepassengers, thereby facilitating greater passenger comfort and decreaseddisturbance of passenger property such as papers.

Another example event adapter 120 is shown in FIG. 8. The vent adapter120 can be configured to transform air flows of one, two, three, or morevents into an air curtain to thereby reduce transmission of bacteria orviruses between rows of seats in a vehicle. As shown in FIG. 8, the ventadapter 120 preferably includes an air-supply interface such as agasper-air-supply interface 122 and a blade nozzle 124. As shown in FIG.8, the outlet of the blade nozzle 124 is schematically represented by awhite line and can be configured to transform an air flow received bythe vent adapter 120 into an air curtain. The air-supply interface 122can be configured to cover the one or more vents, vent covers, or valvesto transmit the air flows to the blade nozzle 124. In someimplementations, the vent covers or valves such as the gasper valves areremoved prior to installing the vent adapter 120, but in otherimplementations, the vent covers or valves are left in place and handcontrols of such covers or valves manipulated to full-open with the ventadapter 120 installed over the vent covers or valves. In other versions,the air-supply interface 122 includes a number of vent couplers such asthe same number as the number of vents covered by the air-supplyinterface 122. Such vent couplers are preferably configured to mate withrespective vent ducts such as the gasper duct 50 in the same or similarmanner as the gasper-air-supply interface 64.

The vent adapter 120 preferably has one or more mechanical interfacesthat facilitate coupling the vent adapter 120 to the vehicle, such as aPSU. The mechanical interfaces preferably include one or more hooks orclamps opposite the air-supply interface 122 from each other, such as atend portions 126, 128. The mechanical interfaces are preferablyconfigured to be received in respective slots in the vehicle (preferablyon opposite sides of the passenger service unit), such as one or both ofslots 130, 132 in FIG. 1 and one or both of slots 134, 136 in FIG. 1 orsuch as slot 138 in FIG. 2 and one or both of slots 140, 152 in FIG. 2.In versions without vent couplers, the top of the air-supply interface122 can be open and preferably has a gasket disposed on the top of theperimeter lip of the air-supply interface 122 that defines such opening.Accordingly, the top lip of the air-supply interface 122 preferablypresses the gasket against the bottom surface of the PSU to prevent airflow from escaping prior to reaching the blade nozzle 124. In otherversions, the mechanical interfaces are the same as or similar to themechanical interface 66 and are configured to couple to a vent cover orvalve receiver of the vent, such as a gasper socket disposed in a PSU.In some versions, the mechanical interfaces include fasteners such asscrews that extend through the top lip of the air-supply interface 122,such as an outwardly extending flange about the top perimeter of theair-supply interface 122, and into the PSU. In other versions, the ventadapter 120 is coupled to the PSU by adhesive applied to the top lip ofthe air-supply interface 122.

The vent adapter 120 can be configured to cover only the vents in thePSU. The vent adapter 120 preferably has a form factor schematicallyrepresented by dashed line 154 in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the vent adapter120 facilitates quick, inexpensive, and simple installation withoutinterfering with other features or access to such features in thevehicle while also facilitating transforming the air flows previouslydelivered to the gasper vents into an air curtain between adjacent rowsof seats.

Another example vent adapter 170 is shown in FIG. 9. The vent adapter170 can be the same as or similar to the vent adapter 120, except theblade nozzle of the vent adapter 170 includes at least two transverselydisposed blade portions, such as a blade portion 172 that is the same asor similar to the blade nozzle 124 and a blade portion 174 that iscoupled to the blade portion 172, with the outlet of the blade portion174 oriented transverse to the outlet of the blade portion 174. As shownin FIG. 9, the blade portion 174 extends in one direction from a middleportion of the blade portion 172. In some versions, the blade portion174 extends from an end portion of the blade portion 172, such as anaisle-end portion of the blade portion 172. In other versions, the bladeportion 174 extends from the middle portion of the blade portion 172 andanother one or more blade portion extend from one or both end portionsof the blade portion 172 and have one or more respective outlets thatare oriented transverse to the outlet of the blade portion 172. In someversions, the blade portion 174 extends from a middle portion of theblade portion 172 and another blade portion also extends from a middleportion of the blade portion 172 but is spaced apart from the bladeportion 174, with the outlet of the other blade portion orientedtransverse to the outlet of the blade portion 172.

FIG. 10 provides a schematic representation of air curtains 176-180generated by a version of the vent adapter 170 that has a blade nozzlewith two blade portions disposed in a middle portion of the bladeportion 172. The vent adapter 170 can be fluidly coupled to thepassenger vents 102-106 and transforms the air flows from the passengervents 102-106 into air curtains 176-180. In some versions, a third bladeportion that has its outlet oriented transverse to the outlet of theblade portion 172 is disposed on the aisle-end portion of the bladeportion 172 to facilitate generating an air curtain on the aisle side ofthe seat 96. As shown in FIG. 10, the air curtains 176-180 are discreteair curtains that may overlap but are generated by separate and distinctoutlets. In some versions, the outlets connect and thus form a singleair curtain that has the shape of the air curtains 176-180. Accordingly,the passenger-vent adapter 170 facilitates protecting passengers inadjacent seats in a given row from each other and also facilitatesprotecting passengers in adjacent rows from each other.

Another example vent adapter 200 is shown in FIG. 11. As indicated bythe line 202, the shape of the air curtain generated by the vent adapter200 is the same as or similar to the one or more air curtains generatedby the vent adapter 170. The vent adapter 200 can be the same as orsimilar to the vent adapter 170, except that the vent adapter 200 has adifferent body shape and that the vent adapter 200 covers or blocksaccess to one or more features in the vehicle and duplicates or passesthrough one or more of such covered or blocked features. The body shapeof the vent adapter is rounded to facilitate providing enhanceddeflection of impacts to the body relative to the body of the ventadapter 170, thereby decreasing the likelihood that the vent adapter 200is damaged or removed by impacts from passenger heads or personal assetssuch as bags or suitcases. As shown in FIG. 11, the vent adapter 200duplicates or passes through covered or blocked features such as anilluminated row identifier 204 and illuminated seat identifiers such asilluminated seat identifier 206. In some versions, the connection fromthe vehicle to a covered or blocked feature is separated from suchfeature and connected to a corresponding duplicated feature in the ventadapter 200. For example, power supply wires may be removed from theilluminated row identifier in the PSU and connected to the illuminatedrow identifier in the vent adapter 200. In other versions, the ventadapter 200 passes through the feature. For example, the vent adapter200 may provide a window that provides visual access to the coveredfeature. In another example the vent adapter 200 may include a pushbutton on its exterior surface, which manipulates a plunger disposedinterior to the body of the vent adapter 200, and the plunger isconfigured to manipulate a user interface control on the PSU such as thereading light control 20 or the attendant-call control 32 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 provides a schematic representation of air curtains 208-212generated by a version of the vent adapter that has three curved bladenozzle outlets, which are schematically represented by line 214. Theblade-nozzle outlets that generate the air curtains 208-212 preferablyprovide approximately 180° coverage. The air curtains 208-212 arepreferably at least partially curved or entirely curved in horizontalcross-section. In some versions the air curtains 208-212 are C-shaped orU-shaped in horizontal cross-section. In some versions, the window-seatblade-nozzle outlet that generates the air curtain 208 providesapproximately 90° coverage that is at least partially curved or entirelycurved in horizontal cross-section because the window-side of the windowseat is already protected by the exterior wall of the aircraft, whichfacilitates increasing the velocity of air flow through the outlets byeliminating the cross-sectional surface area of the air curtains. Insome versions, the air curtain 208 is J-shaped in horizontalcross-section.

Another example vent adapter 230 is shown in FIG. 13. The vent adapter230 can be the same as or similar to the vent adapter 200, except thatthe vent adapter 230 defines outlets 232-236 that are configured togenerate air curtains that respectively provide approximately 90°coverage to facilitate increasing the air flow velocity of the aircurtains by eliminating duplication of coverage by air curtainsgenerated by the same vent adapter 230. The generated air curtains arepreferably at least partially curved or entirely curved in horizontalcross-section. In some versions, the generated air curtains areJ-shaped. In some versions, the vent adapter 230 is configured toprovide protection for a set of seats disposed between two aisles, andthe outlet 232 is configured to provide approximately 180° coverage. Theair curtains generated by the outlets 232-236 preferably contact eachother or overlap to provide complete coverage forward of the passengersin the corresponding seats. In other versions, the air curtainsgenerated by the outlets 232-236 do not contact each other or overlap(see projections 238-242 in FIG. 14 or projections 244-254 in FIG. 15).As shown in FIG. 13, the outlets 232-236 are separate and distinct fromeach other, but in some versions, the outlets 232-236 form a singleintegral outlet.

The inventor discovered that implementing blade nozzles defining outletsthat generate curved air curtains facilitates using air flows of smallermagnitude flow rates (for example, volume of air moved per minute) togenerate the same air velocity as air curtains that have multiplestraight sides joined at perpendicular angles (or facilitate highervelocities with air flows of the same magnitude). For example, using thesame air flow magnitudes, the vent adapter 230 facilitates generatingair curtains having greater air velocity than does the vent adapter 200.The inventor also discovered that implementing blade nozzles definingoutlets that generate curved air curtains facilitates reducing spread ofbacteria or viruses through the air curtains because droplets that areprojected through such air curtains generally cross through greaterlengths of the air curtains compared to straight air curtains, therebyfacilitating increased time that the droplets encounter downward forcefrom the curved air curtains.

The inventor also discovered that configuring one vent adapter togenerate one or more air curtains from multiple discrete air ventsfacilitates improving consistency of air velocity in the effectiveportions of the air curtains, such as those portions of the air curtainsthat are at or below the faces of the passengers when sitting ornormally positioned within the air curtains. In some versions, one ormore of the passenger-vent adapters described herein have one or morepartition fins disposed inside the body or air-supply interfaceconfigured to direct one or more portions of air flows from one or morevents toward one or more remote portions of the blade nozzle to controlair pressure therein and thus velocity of each portion of the aircurtain. For example, an aisle-side portion of an air curtain thatextends across three seats may be farther from the closest vent than amiddle portion of the air curtain, and the one or more partition finsfacilitate directing increased amounts of the air flows toward theportion of the outlet that generates the aisle-side portion of the aircurtain to provide the aisle-side portion of the air curtain with thesame emission velocity as the middle portion of the air curtain. Inother versions, the partition fins provide greater emission airvelocities to some portions of the air curtain than to others tocompensate for the greater distance that some portions of the aircurtain must travel before contacting a solid surface. For example, theaisle-side portion of the air curtain may be oriented transverse tovertical, and there may be a greater distance between the aisle-side armrest and the outlet than between a middle arm rest and the outlet, sothe partition fins may supply greater air flows to the aisle-sideoutlet. Although both examples include providing increased air flowstoward an outlet that generates an aisle-side of an air curtain, suchpartition fins may direct increased air flows toward any other portionof one or more outlets that define one or more air curtains depending onthe particular environment in which the vent adapter is installed orintended to be installed. As another example, another fluid other thanair may be employed, such as water.

The vent adapter 230 preferably has one or more lights such as one ormore lasers that generate projections such as projections 238-242 thatindicate the locations and shapes of the air curtains generated by thevent adapter 230. The lights are preferably disposed inside the body ofthe vent adapter 230 and emit the projections through the outlets232-236. In other versions, the lights are disposed in or on the body ofthe vent adapter 230 near the outlets 232-236. Another version ofcurtain shapes generated by one of the vent adapters disclosed herein isshown in FIG. 15 and illuminated by projections 244-254 (the right seatsbeing window seats, and the left seats being aisle seats in FIG. 15). Insome versions, multiple smaller curtains may be spaced apart from eachother but arranged side-by-side to form a larger curtain. For example,instead of an air curtain extending in a continuous manner alongprojection 252, multiple air curtains may be arranged along projection252 and spaced apart from each other to form a larger air directingalong projection 252.

Turning now to FIG. 16A a portion of an aircraft environment 300 isshown including an example air directing device 302. The aircraftenvironment 300 can include overhead panels 304 positioned abovepassenger seats (not pictured). The overhead panels 304 can include apassenger service unit (PSU) system 306 that can run along the length ofa cabin of the aircraft. The PSU system 306 can include PSUs 318 andblank panels 319. The PSUs 318 can be or include panels that are locatedabove a passenger (e.g., above a row of passengers) and/or includecomponents that provide a service to a passenger. In variousembodiments, the PSU system 306 can run along the length of the aircraftand can be centrally located on the overhead panels 304 with one or moreside panels 305 positioned on each side (e.g., left and right sides) ofthe PSU system 306. There can be a gap 310 between the PSU system 306and the side panels 305. The gap 310 can be used to mount one or morecomponents. For example, the gap 310 can be used to mount the airdirecting device 302.

The PSU system 306 can include one or more PSUs 318. The PSUs 318 caninclude various components, for example, the air outlets 308, lights314, and/or passenger notification indicators 316. In the interest ofbrevity, when referring to a PSU 318, it should be understood that it isa PSU 318 that includes air outlets 308. The PSUs 318 can be separatedby one or more blank panels 319. The PSUs 318 can be spaced at regularintervals along the length of the aircraft. For example, the PSUs 318can be spaced such that the components are positioned with eachpassenger having their own light 314 and/or each passenger or row ofpassengers having their own air outlet 308. In various embodiments, theair outlets 308 can include covers, such as gasper vents, that allow apassenger to control the direction and/or intensity of the air. The airoutlets 308 can be connected to an air distribution system (e.g., an airconditioning system) to distribute air in the aircraft environment 300.For example, the air outlets 308 can extend through a PSU 318 andconnect with a portion of the air conditioning system positioned abovethe overhead panels 304.

The air directing device 302 can be positioned over the air outlets 308with an upper surface of the air directing device 302 contacting the PSU318 and/or side panels 305 (e.g., the air directing device 302 can be inengaged with the PSU 318 and extend to the left and right to contact theside panels 305). The air directing device 302 can be mounted using gaps310 (e.g., using gaps between the PSU 318 and the side panels 305 and/orusing gaps between a PSU 318 and a blank panel 319). In variousembodiments, a portion of the air directing device 302 can extendthrough gaps 310 and engage with a support structure (e.g., the supportstructure used to support overhead panels 304 and/or the PSU system306). The air directing device 302 can direct air from the air outlets308 to one or more blade nozzles 312. The blade nozzles 312 can outputan air curtain (not depicted) into the aircraft environment 300 (asdiscussed in reference to FIG. 17).

The air directing device 302 can include a housing that forms an airreservoir to receive the air and direct it out of blade nozzles 312. Theblade nozzles 312 can be positioned on the air directing device 302 tooutput the air curtains 400, for example, between passengers seatedbelow the PSUs 318. Air directing devices 302 may be positioned oversome or all of the air outlets 308 (e.g., engaged with PSUs 318). Forexample, as shown in FIG. 16A, an air directing device 302 is positionedover air outlets 308 a and no directing device is positioned over airoutlets 308 b.

FIG. 16B illustrates an example installation of the example airdirecting device 302 of FIG. 16A. The air directing device 302 can beinstalled in the aircraft environment 300 such that the air directingdevice 302 is in fluid communication with the air distribution system tothe cabin of the aircraft. For example, the air directing device 302 canreceive air from a distributor 322 that is part of the air distributionsystem (e.g., the air directing device 302 can receive air from thedistributor 322 through air outlets 308). The air directing device 302can include a vent mechanical interface 320 that can be used to installthe air directing device 302. The vent mechanical interface 320 canextend through a gap 310 (e.g., a gap between a PSU 318 and side panels305). The vent mechanical interface 320 can engage with a portion of theair distribution system. For example, the vent mechanical interface 320can engage with the distributor 322 of the air distribution system.However, the vent mechanical interface 320 may additionally oralternatively engage with a support structure positioned above theoverhead panels 304 (e.g., a frame and/or railing where the overheadpanels 304 attached to the aircraft).

In various embodiments, the PSU 318 can be removed to install the airdirecting device 302 (as described herein in reference to FIGS. 31Athrough 34). The PSU 318 can be removed and the air directing device 302can be installed to engage directly with the distributor 322. The airdirecting device 302 can engage with the distributor 322 such that thedistributor 322 does not receive a portion of the air directing device302. However, the distributor 322 may receive a portion of the airdirecting device 302 (e.g., a portion of air directing device 302 thatcan direct air toward blade nozzles 312. The air directing device 302can be attached to distributor 322 using one or more attachmentmechanisms. For example, the air directing device 302 can be attachedusing any and/or all of the attachment techniques described hereinand/or using fasteners.

In various embodiments, the PSU 318 and the distributor 322, describedherein in reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B, can be included in one or moreaircraft overhead systems. The aircraft overhead system can be used toinstall the air directing device 302. For example, the air directingdevice 302 can be installed to receive a portion of the aircraftoverhead system (e.g., the PSU 318 and/or the distributor 322). The airdirecting device 302 can be installed using the PSU 318. Using the PSU318 to install the air directing device 302 can allow for a quickerinstallation than installing the air directing device 302 with anotherportion of the aircraft overhead system (e.g., the distributor 322).Using the PSU 318 to install the air directing device 302 canadditionally or alternatively necessitate relatively less change to theaircraft overhead system and/or the air distribution system (e.g., theair directing device 302 can be installed with the PSU 318 as a retrofitsystem where a portion of the aircraft overhead system does not need tobe removed for installation of the air directing device 302). Incomparison, when the distributor 322 is used for installation of the airdirecting device 302, a more flushed installation is possible which canavoid encroaching into the overhead space of the passengers seated below(e.g., the air directing device 302 may not protrude beyond the bottomsurface of the blank panels 319). However, installation of the airdirecting device 302 may necessitate removal of a portion of theaircraft overhead system (e.g., removal of a PSU 318). The air directingdevice 302 can be installed with the distributor 322 as part of aretrofit to the aircraft overhead system or as part of an in-lineinstallation.

FIG. 17 illustrates various air curtains 400 generated by the exampleair directing device 302 of FIG. 16A. As shown in FIG. 17, a single airdirecting device 302 can be installed above a row of seats (e.g., theair curtains 400 for a row of seats are output from the same airdirecting device 302). However, multiple air directing devices 302 canbe installed over a row of seats (e.g., the air curtains 400 for a rowof seats can be output by multiple air directing devices 302). The aircurtains 400 can be output (e.g., formed) by the blade nozzles 312. Theair curtains 400 can be formed between passengers 402 sitting in thesame row, between a passenger 402 and a sidewall of the aircraft 404(e.g., an interior sidewall of the aircraft), between passengers 402sitting in different rows and/or aisles, and/or between passengers 402and a walkway through the aircraft. In various embodiments, the airdirecting device 302 can be controllable such that air curtains are notformed in empty rows and/or rows where only a single passenger issitting. The air directing device 302 can include a controllable outletvalve that can stop or reduce the flow of air from exiting the bladenozzles 312 and/or a controllable inlet valve that can stop or reducethe flow of air into the air directing device 302. In some embodiments,the PSU 318 can have a valve that can stop or reduce the flow of airfrom the air outlets 308 (e.g., into the air directing device 302).

In further embodiments, the air directing device 302 can includefeatures that allow a passenger to control the flow of air. For example,the air directing device 302 can include a louver and/or a similardevice that can allow a passenger 402 to control the air flowing out ofthe blade nozzles 312. The louver can be used to adjust the intensity ofthe blade nozzles 312. For example, the louver can stop the air flowingout of the blade nozzles 312. In some embodiments, the air directingdevice 302 may include an outlet that directs air towards a passenger.For example, the air directing device 302 may include a vent thatdirects air towards the face and/or body of a passenger 402. The ventcan be controlled by the same louver that controls the airflow out ofthe blade nozzles 312. However, the vent can be controlled by a separatelouver.

In various embodiments, the air directing device 302 can includemultiple louvers. For example, the air directing device 302 can includea louver per passenger seat (e.g., each passenger 402 can adjust theairflow out of the air directing device 302). However, the air directingdevice 302 can include a louver that controls the airflow out ofmultiple blade nozzles 312. For example, a louver can reduce the airflowof all of the blade nozzles of the air directing device 302.

In some embodiments, the louver can include a user interface. The userinterface can include an input that can be used to control the airflowing out of the blade nozzles 312. For example, the user interfacecan be or include a mechanical, electrical, or electromechanicalinterface which a passenger 402 can use to control the air flowing outof the blade nozzles 312.

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D show various views of an example airdirecting device 500 that can be included in particular embodiments ofthe aircraft environment 300 of FIG. 16A. The air directing device 500can be the same as or similar to the air directing device 302 of FIG.16A, however, the air directing device 500 can have additional and/oralternative components. FIG. 18A is a simplified perspective view of theair directing device 500. The air directing device 500 can include ahousing 301 with an upper surface 502, a vent mechanical interface 504,an upper aperture 506, and a seal 508. The housing 301 can includemultiple walls surrounding an air reservoir 512. The upper surface 502(e.g., a top surface or a first surface) can interface with the PSUsystem 306 (e.g., the PSUs 318). The upper surface 502 can have a width313 in a range between 2 inches (5 cm) and 5 inches (13 cm) (e.g., 2inches, 3 inches, 4 inches, 5 inches) (5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9, cm, 10cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm). For example, the upper surface 502 can have awidth of 3.1 inches. A portion of the upper surface 502 can be shaped toengage with the shape of the overhead panels 304 and/or the PSU system306. For example, a portion of the upper surface 502 can have a slopedsection (as shown in FIG. 18B) that interfaces with a curved section ofthe overhead panels 304 and/or the PSU system 306.

The vent mechanical interface 504 can be connected to the upper surface502 and engage with the PSU system 306 (e.g., the vent mechanicalinterface 504 can be or include a means for engaging the air device withthe PSUs 318). For example, in embodiments where the vent mechanicalinterface 504 can be or include a clip, the vent mechanical interface504 can engage with gaps 310 (e.g., such as railing in the overhead areaabove the PSU system 306). In some embodiments, the vent mechanicalinterface 504 can be or include an attachment mechanism that can engagewith a lower surface of the PSU system 306 (e.g., the PSUs 318). Invarious embodiments, the vent mechanical interface 504 can be or includeadhesives, tape, adhesive foam, hooks, clips, and/or similar attachmentmechanisms. In various embodiments, the vent mechanical interface 504can be or include one or more clips 504 a extending from the airdirecting device 500. The clips 504 a can have a width with a thicknessequal to or less than the width of the gaps 310 (e.g., the clips 504 acan be inserted into the gaps 310).

In some embodiments, a portion of the clips 504 a can temporarilyincrease the size of gaps 310 to allow the clips 504 a to be insertedinto the gaps 310. For example, the upper portion of the clips 504 a caninclude a protrusion with a sloped surface 510. The upper portion of theclips 504 a can have a width larger than the starting width of the gaps310 and can temporarily increase the width of the gaps 310 (e.g., whenthe upper portion of the clips 504 a is inserted into the gaps 310). Thelower portion of the protrusion can have a width that is equal to orless than the starting width of the gaps 310. The upper portion of theclips 504 a can be inserted into the gaps 310 until the gaps 310 returnto their starting width (e.g., the lower portion of the clips 504 ahaving a width equal to or less than the starting width of the gaps 310can allow the gaps 310 to return to their starting width). The upperportion of the clips 504 a having a width larger than the starting widthof the gaps 310 can prevent the clips 504 a from being easily removedfrom the gaps 310. The clips 504 a can flex to be inserted into the gaps310 and hold the air directing device 500 in position, for example, inposition beneath the air outlets 308. In some embodiments, the clips 504a can include multiple protrusions (e.g., a protrusion on opposing sidesof the clips 504 a). The multiple protrusions can engage with multipleportions of the overhead panels 304, the PSU system 306, the PSUs 318,the blank panels 319, and/or overhead aircraft structures (e.g.,overhead railings). For example, the multiple protrusions can beinserted into gaps 310 and engage with an upper side of the PSU system306 (e.g., the PSUs 318). The clips 504 a can be or include plastic,metal, silicon, rubber, and/or any material with similar properties.

In some embodiments, the vent mechanical interface 504 can be or includehook and loop connectors 504 b. The hook and loop connectors 504 b canbe positioned around upper aperture 506 and engage with opposing hookand loop connectors 504 b positioned on the PSU system 306 (e.g., on thePSUs 318). The hook and loop connectors 504 b can hold the air directingdevice 500 in place after installation and prevent the air directingdevice 500 from moving, for example, in response to movement of theaircraft.

The upper surface 502 can include the upper aperture 506 that forms anopening through the upper surface 502. The upper aperture 506 can beproportioned (e.g., sized and shaped) to receive a portion of the PSU318 (e.g., the upper aperture 506 can be or include a means forreceiving the air from the air outlets 308 of the PSU 318). For example,the upper aperture 506 can receive a portion of one or more of the airoutlets 308. In various embodiments, the upper aperture 306 hasdimensions equal to or larger than dimensions of the portion of the PSU318 such that the upper aperture 506 is proportioned to receive aportion of the air outlets 308. The seal 508 can be positioned around atleast a portion of the periphery of the upper aperture 506. The seal 508can be or include compressible material that can be compressed betweenthe upper surface 502 and the overhead panels 304 and/or the PSU system306 (e.g., the PSUs 318). The seal 508 can aid in preventing air fromthe air outlets from flowing out between the upper surface 502 and thePSUs 318. In some embodiments, the seal 508 can be positioned betweenthe upper surface 502 and the vent mechanical interface 504. Forexample, the seal can be positioned between the upper surface 502 andthe hook and loop connectors 504 b. The seal can be or include rubber,foam, silicone, or any compressible material that is suitable forforming a seal.

FIGS. 18B and 18C are simplified cross-sectional views of the airdirecting device 500. FIG. 18B is taken through line A-A′ and FIG. 18Cis taken through line B-B′. As shown in FIG. 18B, the housing 301 cansurround air reservoir 512 and include sidewalls 514 extending betweenthe upper surface 502 and a lower surface 516 (e.g., a bottom surface ora second surface). In various embodiments, the air reservoir 512 canreceive air through the upper aperture 506 (e.g., from the air outlets308).

The air reservoir 512 can receive air from the air outlets 308 anddirect the air to one or more lower apertures 518 (e.g., the airreservoir 512 can be or include a means for directing the received airto the blade nozzles 312). The lower apertures 518 can be an outlet forthe air reservoir 512. An interior edge of the lower apertures 518 caninclude a curved edge 530 (e.g., a portion that slopes toward the lowerapertures 518). The curved edge 530 can aid in direction air into thelower apertures 518. The exterior edge of the lower apertures 518 caninclude a sloped portion 522 that forms a protrusion (e.g., a wall ornozzle tips) that extends away from the lower surface 516. The exterioredge of the lower apertures 518 can have a shape that aids in theformation of the air curtain (as described further in reference to FIG.23). In various embodiments, the lower apertures 518 can be or includethe blade nozzles 312 (e.g., the exterior edge of the lower apertures518 can be the blade nozzles 312).

FIG. 18D is a simplified view of a side of the air directing device 500including the blade nozzles 312. The blade nozzles 312 can receive airthrough the lower aperture 518 and output an air curtains 400 into theaircraft environment 300 (e.g., the blade nozzles 312 can be or includea means for outputting the air curtain 400). For example, the bladenozzles 312 can be positioned on the lower surface 516 to output the aircurtains 400 between passenger seats positioned below the air directingdevice 500. In various embodiments, the number of blade nozzles 312 canbe equal to the number of seats positioned beneath the air directingdevice 500 (e.g., if there are three passenger seats positioned beneaththe air directing device 500 there can be three blade nozzles 312 on thelower surface 516). In further embodiments, the number of blade nozzles312 can differ from the number of seats positioned beneath the airdirecting device 500 (e.g., there can be three seats positioned beneaththe air directing device 500 which can have five blade nozzles 312 onthe lower surface 516). In some embodiments, the air directing device500 can have a number of blade nozzles 312 such that multiple aircurtains 400 are positioned between passenger seats (e.g., adjacentpassenger seats in the same row are separated by multiple air curtains400, adjacent passenger seats in different rows are separated bymultiple air curtains 400, and/or passenger seats are separated from awalkway by multiple air curtains 400).

The blade nozzles 312 can be sized and shaped (e.g., straight or curved)to output the air curtains 400 into the aircraft environment 300. Forexample, the blade nozzles 312 can be an arc shape with an arc angle ina range between 10 degrees and 120 degrees (e.g., 10 degrees, 30degrees, 40 degrees, 40 degrees, 50 degrees, 70 degrees, 90 degrees, or120 degrees). In various embodiments, the blade nozzles 312 can be astraight opening, have an S-shape, a C-shape, a U-shape, a J-shape,and/or have any suitable shape for outputting the air curtains 400.

Turning to FIGS. 19A, 19B, 19C, and 19D various views of another exampleair directing device 600 are shown. The air directing device 600 can beor include a means for receiving air from a PSU 318, a means foroutputting the air curtain 400, a means for directing the received airto the means for outputting the air curtain 400, and a means forengaging the air directing device 600 with the PSU system 306 (e.g.,engaging with the PSU 318). FIG. 19A is a simplified perspective view ofthe air directing device 600. The air directing device 600 includeshousing 301 with multiple upper apertures 606 through the upper surface502. The upper apertures 606 can be or include the means for receivingair from the PSU 318. The seal 508 can be positioned on the uppersurface 502 such that a portion of the seal 508 is positioned betweenthe upper apertures 606. Multiple vent mechanical interfaces 504 (e.g.,the means for engaging the air device with the PSU 318) can bepositioned on the seal 508 for engagement with the PSU system 306 (e.g.,with the PSUs 318). The upper apertures 606 can include a ridge 604around the periphery of the upper apertures 606 that extends away fromthe upper surface 502. The ridge 604 can engage with a portion of thePSU 318. For example, the ridge 604 can engage with the air outlets 308.In various embodiments, a portion of the ridge 604 can be inserted intothe air outlets 308.

FIG. 19B is a simplified cross-sectional view of the air directingdevice 600. FIG. 19B is a cross-section taken through line C-C′ and FIG.19C is a cross-section taken through line D-D′. Multiple air reservoirs612 (e.g., channels or volumes) can be positioned in housing 301. Theair reservoirs 612 can be or include a means for directing the receivedair to the means for outputting the air curtain 400. In variousembodiments, each of the upper apertures 606 can be coupled with aseparate air reservoir 612 (e.g., each air reservoir 612 receives airthrough a different upper aperture 606). However, the upper apertures606 may be coupled with a common air reservoir 612 (e.g., a single airreservoir 612 receives air through multiple upper apertures 606). Theair reservoirs 612 can be sized and shaped to direct air from the upperapertures 606 to the lower apertures 618. For example, the outer airreservoirs 612 a can direct air towards the outer blade nozzles 312 aand the middle air reservoir 612 b can direct air towards the middleblade nozzle 312 b. In various embodiments, the air reservoirs 612 canbe optimized to have the smallest air reservoirs 612 possible whilestill delivering balanced flow to the blade nozzles 312. For example,the air reservoirs 612 can be sized to deliver balanced flow to theblade nozzles 312 such that the air curtains 400 have the same orsimilar size and/or shape.

FIG. 19D is a simplified view of a side of the air directing device 600including the blade nozzles 312 (e.g., the means for engaging the airdirecting device 600 with the PSU system 306). In various embodiments,the blade nozzles 312 can have different sizes and/or shapes, however,the blade nozzles 312 can have the same size and shape. For example, theouter blade nozzles 312 a can have different sizes and shapes as themiddle blade nozzle 312 b may have a larger size than the outer bladenozzles 312 a. The size of the blade nozzle 312 may correspond to thesize of the air curtain 400 output by the blade nozzle 312. For example,a larger blade nozzle 312 may output a larger air curtain 400. Infurther embodiments, the blade nozzles 312 may be positionable by apassenger. For example, the blade nozzles 312 may be moveable and/or thesize of the lower aperture 518 adjusted to adjust the size and/or theposition of the air curtain 400.

Turning to FIG. 20 an additional example air directing device 700 isshown. The air directing device 700 can be or include a means forreceiving air from the PSU 318, a means for outputting the air curtain400, a means for directing the received air to the means for outputtingthe air curtain 400, and a means for engaging the air directing device700 with the PSU system 306 (e.g., engaging with the PSU 318). The airdirecting device 700 can include aligners 702 to aid in aligning the airdirecting device 700. For example, the aligners 702 can be positioned ingaps 310 to laterally align the air directing device 700. The aligners702 and/or the vent mechanical interface 504 can be or include the meansfor engaging the air directing device 700 with the PSU system 306. Thevent mechanical interface 504 can engage with the PSU system 306 toaffix the air directing device 700 in place. The aligners 702 can be orinclude a protrusion with a chamfered edge to aid in engaging thealigners with the gaps 310.

FIGS. 21A and 21B show another example air directing device 800 that canbe used in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. FIG. 21A shows an arrangement of the blade nozzles 312 on theair directing device 800. The blade nozzles 312 can be oriented inmultiple directions on the air directing device 800. For example, theair directing device 800 can include five blade nozzles with three ofthe blade nozzles oriented along the same axis and the remaining twonozzles oriented along another axis. The different orientations of theblade nozzles 312 can produce air curtains 400 at different positions inthe aircraft environment. For example, some of the blade nozzles 312 canproduce air curtains 400 between passengers seated in the same row andsome of the blade nozzles 312 can produce air curtains 400 betweenpassengers seated in multiple rows and/or between passengers in a rowand a portion of the aircraft. The blade nozzles 312 can include nozzleswith a straight shape and/or nozzles with a curved shape.

FIG. 21B shows a cross-section view of the air directing device 800taken through line E-E′. The air directing device 800 can include an airreservoir 812 that can receive air through upper aperture 806. The airreservoir 812 can direct air to lower aperture 818 and through bladenozzle 312. Blade nozzles 312 can produce air curtains 400. In variousembodiments, lower aperture 818 can include sloped sidewalls 820. Thedistance between sidewalls 820 can decrease to narrow the lower aperture818. For example, the sidewalls 820 can have a larger separation nearthe air reservoir 812 than near the blade nozzle 312.

FIGS. 22A and 22B show another example air directing device 900 that canbe used in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. FIG. 22A shows an arrangement of the blade nozzle 312 can beat least partially surrounded by a recessed portion 902. In someembodiments, the blade nozzle 312 can be an opening in the surface 516such that the blade nozzle 312 does not extend beyond the surface 516.FIG. 22B illustrates a detailed portion of the air directing device 900including blade nozzle 312 a and recessed portions 902 a and 902 bpositioned on opposing sides. The blade nozzle 312 a can extend from therecessed portion 902 a and 902 b such that an upper surface 904 of theblade nozzle 312 a can be relatively in-line with surface 516 (e.g.,such that the blade nozzle 312 a does not extend beyond surface 516).For example, the recessed portions 902 a, 902 b can allow the bladenozzle 312 a to have a defined shape (e.g., extend from a surface) whilestill being below or substantially in-line with surface 516.

FIG. 23 shows a detailed portion of a blade nozzle 312 for use with theexample air directing device of FIG. 16A. The blade nozzle 312 caninclude sidewalls 1002 surrounding an aperture 1004. The aperture 1004can receive air from air outlets 308 and direct the air to produce anair curtain 400. The geometry of the external opening 1006 of theaperture 1004 can affect the air curtain 400 that is produced. Forexample, the geometry of the external opening 1006 can change the size,shape, and/or strength of the air curtain 400.

In various embodiments, the aperture 1004 can have a diameter of H, adifference between the lengths of the first sidewall 1002 a and a secondsidewall 1002 b can be L, a change in height at the edge of the secondsidewall 1002 b can be h, the angle of the slope of the change in heightcan be θ, and the radius of the curve at the edge of the second sidewall1002 b can be R. Using table 1 below, a geometry can be calculated forthe external opening 1006. In particular embodiments, the θ can be in arange between θ degrees and 45 degrees, the H can be 1.5 mm, and L, R,and h can depend on θ.

TABLE 1 θ H L R h (degrees) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) 0 1.5 0 0 0.0 9 6 10 0.812 1.1 15 1.3 30 1.9 45 2.9

Turning to FIG. 24 another example air directing device 1100 that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. The air directing device 1100 can include an upper aperture1106 that can direct air into air reservoir 1112. Air reservoir 1112 canreceive the air and direct the air through lower aperture 1118 to bladenozzle 312. In various embodiments, the air reservoir 1112 can have avariable cross-section (e.g., a cross section that has a larger diameterat one end than the other end). The variable cross-section can aid indirecting air through the lower aperture 1118. For example, the upperaperture 1106 can direct air into one end of the air reservoir 1112having a larger diameter and the variable diameter of the air reservoir1112 can aid in directing the air to the opposing end having a smallerdiameter. The lower aperture 1118 can extend along the length of the airreservoir 1112. For example, the lower aperture 1118 can extend alongsome or all of the length of the air reservoir 1112 to receive air fromthe air reservoir 1112. The lower aperture 1118 can direct air to bladenozzle 312 which can produce an air curtain 400 having a length that isthe same as or similar to the length of the air directing device 1100.The air curtain 400 can be used, for example, to separate different rowsof passengers in the aircraft environment 300.

FIGS. 25 through 27 show additional example air directing devices 1200,1300, 1400 that can be included in particular embodiments of theaircraft environment 300 of FIG. 16A. FIG. 25 includes air directingdevice 1200. The air directing device 1200 can include an upper aperture1206 a lower aperture 1218 and a blade nozzle 312. The air directingdevice 1200 can attach to a single air outlet 308 (e.g., each air outlet308 can be attached to an air directing device 1200), however, airdirecting device 1200 can attach to multiple air outlets 308. The airdirecting device 1200 can receive air from the air outlet 308 throughthe upper aperture 1206. The upper aperture 1206 can direct air to airreservoir 1212. Air reservoir 1212 can be or include a channel thatdirects the air to lower aperture 1218. The lower aperture can directair to the blade nozzle 312 that can produce air curtain 400. The airdirecting device 1200 can be installed in the PSU 318. The air directingdevice 1200 can be installed to direct the air curtains 400 betweenpassengers below the PSU 318. In some embodiments, the air directingdevice 1200 can be installed such that they can be adjusted afterinstallation (e.g., rotated and/or pivoted).

FIG. 26 shows air directing device 1300. The air directing device 1300can attach to an air outlet 308. For example, the air directing device1300 can attach to the air outlet 308 using a ball joint 1302. The balljoint 1302 can allow the air directing device 1300 to be positionedafter installation into the air outlet 308. For example, the airdirecting device 1300 can be pivoted and/or rotated relative to the airoutlet 308. In some embodiments, the air directing device 1300 caninclude a locking feature that prevents the air directing device 1300from being rotated and/or pivoted (e.g., the air directing device 1300can be locked in place).

FIG. 27 shows an air directing device 1400. The air directing device1400 can be attached to a nozzle 1408 of the air outlet 308. The airdirecting device 1400 can include an upper aperture 1406. The upperaperture 1406 can include an attachment mechanism that can attach theair directing device 1400 with the nozzle 1408. The upper aperture 1406can additionally and/or alternatively include a locking mechanism thatlocks the air directing device 1400 in place relative to the air outlet308. For example, the locking mechanism can prevent the air directingdevice 1400 from being rotated and/or pivoted. The air can flow throughthe air directing device 1400 through air channel 1410 and out bladenozzle 312.

In various embodiments, the air directing device 1400 can include anairflow control device. The airflow control device can be used to adjustthe air flowing through the air directing device 1400. For example, theairflow control device can be or include a louver. The louver can adjustthe airflow through the air directing device 1400 and change theintensity of the blade nozzle 312. In various embodiments, the airflowcontrol device can be adjusted by a passenger (e.g., passenger 402).

FIG. 28 illustrates another example air directing device 1500 that canbe used in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. The air directing device 1500 can include blade nozzles 312and openings 1506. Recessed portions 1502 can be positioned around theblade nozzles 312. For example, the recessed portions 1502 can allow theblade nozzles 312 to have a defined shape (e.g., extend from a surface)while still being below or substantially in-line with surface 516.Portions of the air directing device 1500 can be recessed (e.g.,portions 1504) such that they are below surface 516. In variousembodiments, the recessed portions 1502 and 1504 can be recessed to besubstantially in-line with one another. One or more openings 1506 can bepositioned along the air directing device 1500. The openings 1506 can bepositioned along the length based on the position of components of thePSU system 306. For example, the openings 1506 can be positioned suchthat when the air directing device is mounted in position the openings1506 are aligned with air outlets 308 and/or lights 314.

FIG. 29 illustrates a vent mechanical interface 1600 connected to airdirecting device 500. However, the vent mechanical interface 1600 can beconnected to any of the air directing devices described herein. The ventmechanical interface 1600 can include an upper portion 1602 and a lowerportion 1604. The upper portion 1602 can include a means for engagingthe air device 500 with the PSUs 318. For example, the upper portion1602 can be curved and/or can include a clip for engaging with the PSUs318. In various embodiments, the upper portion 1602 can engage with gaps310 (e.g., such as railing in the overhead area above the PSU system306). In some embodiments, the vent mechanical interface 504 can be orinclude an attachment mechanism that can engage with a lower surface ofthe PSU system 306 (e.g., the PSUs 318). The vent mechanical interface1600 can have a thickness that allows for a portion to extend throughthe gaps 310. For example, the vent mechanical interface 1600 can have athickness that can be inserted into the gaps 310.

In various embodiments, the vent mechanical interface 1600 can include aportion that allows for movement of the vent mechanical interface 1600relative to the air directing device 500. For example, the ventmechanical interface 1600 can include a rotation point 1606 that allowsthe upper portion 1602 to rotate relative to the air directing device500. The upper portion 1602 can rotate to be inserted and/or engage withthe gaps 310. The lower portion 1604 can engage with the upper surface502 of the air directing device 500, for example, to fix the ventmechanical interface 1600 in an engagement position. For example, thelower portion 1604 can be engaged with the upper surface 502 and preventthe upper portion 1602 from rotating about rotation point 1606.

FIG. 30 shows a portion of the aircraft environment 300, includingvarious example air directing devices 302 that can be included inparticular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 of FIG. 16A. Forexample, FIG. 30 shows air directing devices 500, 1200, and 1400installed in the aircraft environment 300. However, a single type of airdirecting device 302 may be installed in the aircraft environment 300.The air directing devices 500, 1200, and 1400 have been installed toreceive air from air outlets 308. Air directing devices 500 have beeninstalled to receive air from multiple air outlets 308 and air directingdevices 1200 and 1400 have been installed to receive air from a singleair outlet 308. The air directing devices 500, 1200, and 1400 can beinstalled in the aircraft environment with an upper surface of the airdirecting devices 500, 1200, and, 1400 contacts a PSU 318. However, theair directing devices 500, 1200, and 1400 may be installed in theaircraft environment 300 by removing a PSU 318 and contacting an uppersurface of the air directing devices 500, 1200, and 1400 with a portionof the air distribution system (e.g., distributor 322).

FIGS. 31A and 31B show another example air directing device 1700 thatcan be included in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment300 of FIG. 16A. FIG. 31A is a side view of the air directing device1700. The air directing device 1700 can be sized and/or shaped to fit inan opening in the PSU system 306 created by removing a PSU 318. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 16, a PSU 318 can be removed and the airdirecting device 1700 can be sized and/or shaped to fit in the openingleft in the removed PSU 318.

The air directing device 1700 can be engaged with the distributor 322.For example, the vent mechanical interface 320 can engage with a portionof the distributor 322 and an upper portion of air directing device 1700can engage with a lower portion of the distributor 322. In variousembodiments, a portion of the air directing dive 1700 can be positionedin distributor 322. For example, FIG. 31B shows a cross-section of theair directing device 1700 and distributor 322 with air channels 1702positioned within the distributor 322. The air channels 1702 extendupward from a bottom surface 1704 of the air directing device 1700(e.g., from blade nozzles 312) to a position within the distributor 322.The air directing device 1700 can receive air from the distributor 322(e.g., via the air channels 1702) and direct the air to the bladenozzles 312 to produce the air curtains 400. The air directing device1700 can have a height that can allow the air directing device to beinstalled in the aircraft environment 300 with the bottom surface of theair directing device 1700 generally aligned along a common plane withthe bottom surface of the PSU system 306. For example, the air directingdevice 1700 can be installed such that the blade nozzles 312 aregenerally aligned along the same plane with the bottom surface of thePSU system 306.

FIG. 32 shows another example air directing device 1800 that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. Similar to the air directing device 1700, the air directingdevice 1800 can be sized and/or shaped to fit in an opening left byremoving a PSU 318 from the PSU system 306. The air directing device1800 can be engaged with the distributor 322 such that the distributordoes not receive a portion of the air directing device 1800. The airdirecting device 1800 can be installed in the aircraft environment 300such that the bottom surface of the air directing device 1800 extendsbeyond the bottom surface of the PSU system 306 (e.g., blank panels319). For example, the blade nozzles 312 can be positioned beneath thebottom surface of the PSU system 306 (e.g., beneath the bottom surfaceof the blank panels 319).

FIGS. 33A and 33B show example blade nozzles 312 that can be included inparticular embodiments of the air directing device 302 of FIG. 16A. Forexample, the arrangement of blade nozzles 312 can be used with airdirecting devices 1700 and/or 1800. The blade nozzles 312 can bearranged to produce air curtains 400 at various positions in theaircraft environment 300. For example, the blade nozzles 312 can bearranged to produce air curtains 400 between passengers in the same rowand/or between passengers in different rows. The blade nozzles 312 caninclude various designs, for example, to produce air curtains 400 havingdifferent sizes and shapes. For example, the blade nozzles 312 can havea curved shaped or a straight shape. In some embodiments, blade nozzles312 having different shapes can be used with the same air directingdevice 302.

FIG. 34 shows a portion of the aircraft environment 300, includingvarious example air directing devices 1700 that can be included inparticular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 of FIG. 16A. Theair directing device 1700 can be installed in the PSU system 306 after aPSU 318 has been removed. The bottom surface 1704 of the air directingdevice 1700 can be generally aligned with the bottom surface of the PSUsystem 306. For example, the bottom surface 1704 can be aligned with orslightly protrude beyond the bottom surface of the blank panels 319.However, the bottom surface 1704 can protrude beyond the bottom surfaceof the PSU system 306.

FIGS. 35A and 35B show an example air directing device 1800 that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. The air directing device 1800 can be positioned above seats1802 (e.g., a row of seats). The air directing device 1800 can includeone or more blade nozzles. The blade nozzles can direct air to form oneor more blade curtains (e.g., between seats 1802). In variousembodiments, the air distribution system can include an outlet 1804 thatoutputs air into the aircraft environment 300 outside of the airdirecting device 1800. The air directing device 1800 can be positionedin the aircraft environment 300 to deflect a portion of the air outputby the outlet 1804. For example, the air directing device 1800 can bepositioned such that an end of the air directing device 1800 deflectsairflow 1806 from the outlet 1804 adjacent to a sidewall 1808 of theaircraft. In some embodiments, the airflow 1806 can be directed down thesidewall 1808 to create an air curtain between a seat 1802 and thesidewall 1808. In further embodiments, the end of the air directingdevice 1800 can be shaped to deflect the airflow 1806. For example, theair directing device 1800 can have a curved end that deflects theairflow 1806.

FIGS. 36A and 36B show an example air directing device 1900 that can beincluded in particular embodiments of the aircraft environment 300 ofFIG. 16A. The air directing device 1900 can be positioned above seats1802. The air directing device 1900 can receive air from the airdistribution system (e.g., via channels 1902). The air directing device1900 can receive the air and output the air to form air curtains.

In various embodiments, the air directing device 1900 can be positionedto obstruct the outlet 1804. For example, the air directing device 1900can reduce the airflow 1806 from the outlet 1804 (e.g., the airdirecting device 1900 can block the airflow 1806). In some embodiments,a portion of the air directing device 1900 can protrude into the outlet1804. For example, the air directing device 1900 can include aprotrusion that is received by the outlet 1804. However, the airdirecting device 1900 can include a substantially flat surface that canobstruct the outlet 1804.

FIGS. 37A through 37C show another example air directing device 2000that can be included in particular embodiments of the aircraftenvironment 300 of FIG. 16A. The air directing device 2000 can bepositioned above seats 1802. The air directing device 2000 can receiveair (e.g., airflow 1806) from the air distribution system. The airflow1806 can be received from the air distribution system via a connector2002. The connector 2002 can change the direction of the airflow 1806,for example, to direct the airflow 1806 into the air directing device2000. The connector 2002 can be part of the air directing device 2000,however, the connector 2002 may be a separable piece. The connector 2002can be shaped to engage with outlet 1804. For example, connector 2002can be elongated to receive the airflow 1806 from the outlet 1804.

In various embodiments, the air distribution system can include gasperspositioned above the seats 1802 and an outlet 1804 positioned adjacentto the sidewall 1808. The air directing device 2000 can include multipleintakes which can receive airflow from the air distribution system. Forexample, the air directing device 2000 can include an intake from thegaspers (e.g., a vent) and from the outlet 1804. The intake from thegasper can be that same as or similar to the embodiments describedherein (e.g., 506 or 612). For example, the intake can be an opening inthe top surface of the air directing device 2000. The intake from theoutlet 1804 can be or include an opening on the side of the airdirecting device 2000 which can receive airflow 1806 from the outlet1804. For example, the intake from the outlet 1804 can be or include theconnector 2002 which can direct airflow 1806 into the intake of the airdirecting device 2000. However, the intake may be similar to the intakefrom the gaspers (e.g., similar to 506 or 612).

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that transformair flows from passenger air conditioning ducts or vents into aircurtains that reduce transmission of bacteria or viruses betweenpassengers.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above object and that also facilitate simpleand non-invasive installation.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also are powerefficient on a per-passenger basis.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also do not reducefeatures or access to such features in the environment in which thedevices are installed.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also notify passengersof the boundaries of their respective protected spaces.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also transfer thecontrol of the protective quality of cabin air flows from the passengerto the airline or aircraft crew, thereby providing peace of mind topassengers due to the knowledge that the system is fixed and that otherpassengers will not compromise the integrity of such air flows.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also shape or form theair curtain to blow mostly around the passenger rather than on thepassenger, thereby alleviating the passenger from air flow disturbanceor irritation throughout the duration of the flight.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also shape or form theair curtain such that fresh air is introduced into the passenger airspace from external to the aircraft or from a filtered air flow in amanner that causes air currents in the aircraft to direct airbornecontaminants away from passengers' faces, such as by providingcontrolled breaks or gaps in the flow or entrained differential flow tocontrol the air currents in the aircraft.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that generate aircurtains that achieve the above objects and that also tailor the shapeof the nozzle based on the expected distance from such nozzle of thenearest surface impacted by the generated air curtain.

In one or more embodiments, vent adapters are provided that achieve theabove objects, as well as other objects and advantages, for example, inone or more embodiments, a vent adapter is provided for transforming anair flow of an air conditioning system of a passenger vehicle into anair curtain that separates two passengers from each other. The ventadapter can include an air-supply interface and a blade nozzle coupledto the air-supply interface. The air-supply interface can be configuredto couple to the air conditioning system. The air-supply interface canbe configured to receive an air flow from the air conditioning system.The blade nozzle can be configured to generate the air curtain from thereceived air flow. The blade nozzle can be configured to direct the aircurtain between two adjacent seats in the vehicle.

In one or more embodiments, a vent mechanical interface is coupled toone or more of the air-supply interface or the blade nozzle. In someexamples, the vent mechanical interface is configured to secure theair-supply interface in fluid communication with the vent. The ventmechanical interface can be configured to couple to a vent cover, valve,or valve receiver of the vent. In some examples, the vent mechanicalinterface defines a gasper mechanical interface. The gasper mechanicalinterface can be configured to be received by a gasper socket defined byor in an overhead passenger service unit. In some examples, the gaspermechanical interface is configured to be received by or receive a gaspervent in the overhead passenger service unit.

In one or more embodiments, the vent mechanical interface can be coupledto an overhead passenger service unit. The vent mechanical interfacepreferably includes one or more hooks or clamps configured to bereceived in respective slots on opposite sides of the passenger serviceunit or to receive opposite edges of the passenger service unit.

In one or more embodiments, the vent adapter can be integrated with anoverhead passenger service unit.

In one or more embodiments, the vent can be or include a gasper duct ofan overhead passenger service unit. In some examples, the vent can be orinclude a gasper vent of an overhead passenger service unit.

In one or more embodiments, the air-supply interface can receivemultiple discrete air flows from separate vents or vent ducts. In someexamples, the air curtain can be a single continuous air curtaingenerated from each of the discrete air flows.

In one or more embodiments, the air curtain can be at least partiallycurved. The air curtain can extend approximately 90° around a seat.

In one or more embodiments, a light can generate a projection thatindicates a location of the air curtain on a solid surface onto whichthe air curtain lands.

In one or more embodiments, the vent adapter may be installed byremoving a gasper vent from an overhead passenger service unit in anaircraft and coupling the air-supply interface to a gasper duct of theair conditioning system.

In one or more embodiments, the nozzle can be created from manufacturingtechniques that allow creation of the required output air curtain ofpredetermined shape, form, mass flow rate, or velocity, such asthree-dimensional printing.

Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods toimplement the various embodiments. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications andchanges may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spiritand scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present disclosure. Thus,while the disclosed techniques are susceptible to various modificationsand alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereofare shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit thedisclosure to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary,the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions,and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure,as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term“connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within,attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure anddoes not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is intended to be understoodwithin the context as used in general to present that an item, term,etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y,and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to,and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one ofX, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

The term “air curtain” as used herein refers to a blade of air emittedat a higher velocity than the ambient air in the environment in whichthe generating vent adapter is installed, with such blade of air beingemitted at a sufficient velocity to have a higher velocity than suchambient air when each portion of the blade of air contacts its closestrespective surface, such as a seat armrest, seat cushion, passenger arm,passenger lap, passenger leg, passenger foot, or vehicle floor. Aircurtains are planar air flows (even if such planar shape is curved) andare distinguished herein from solid shapes such as conical shapes orpyramidal shapes. The term “passenger vent” refers to a vent that emitsair from a vehicle air conditioning system directly onto a passenger orbetween adjacent passenger seats. The term “air conditioning system”refers to a system that provides temperature-controlled air to apassenger compartment of a vehicle, including but not limited to systemsthat use refrigerant to cool air (also including systems that do not userefrigerant or cool air). The term “air conditioning system” does notinclude after-market air pumps that supplement air conditioning systemsin the vehicle. However, the vent adapters of the present disclosure mayinstead be driven by such supplemental air systems and may transform airflows of such supplemental systems into the disclosed air curtains. Theterm “blade nozzle” refers to a nozzle that generates one or more bladesof air, with such blades being generally planar (even if curved) asopposed to solid shapes such as a solid conical frustum (a circular orconical blade forms a hollow cone or hollow conical frustum).

The term “adjacent seats” refers to seats in the same row that areimmediately next to each other. Features such as air curtains that aredescribed herein as being between adjacent seats may also be employedbetween a seat and another passenger area such as an aisle. The term“adjacent rows” refers to rows of seats that are immediately forward orrearward of each other with respect to the directions that thepassengers are facing when normally sitting in such seats (they may befacing the same direction or toward each other). The term“approximately” refers to the described value or a range of values thatinclude all values within 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 percent of thedescribed value. The term “near” refers to a distance that is within 5,10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 percent of a corresponding dimension of adescribed element or component. The term “coverage” refers to the numberof degrees around a passenger in a preselected location such as a seatthat an air curtain extends as measured in a horizontal cross-section ofthe air curtain.

Example embodiments of this disclosure are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the disclosure.Variations of those example embodiments may become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Theinventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations asappropriate and the inventors intend for the disclosure to be practicedotherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, thisdisclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vent adapter for transforming an air flow of anair conditioning system of a passenger vehicle into an air curtain thatseparates two passengers from each other, the vent adapter comprising:an air-supply interface configured to couple to and receive an air flowfrom the air conditioning system; and a blade nozzle coupled to theair-supply interface, the blade nozzle being configured to generate theair curtain from the received air flow, the blade nozzle beingconfigured to direct the air curtain between two adjacent seats.
 2. Thevent adapter of claim 1, further comprising a vent mechanical interfacecoupled to one or more of the air-supply interface or the blade nozzle,the vent mechanical interface being configured to secure the air-supplyinterface in fluid communication with the vent.
 3. The vent adapter ofclaim 2, wherein the vent mechanical interface is configured to coupleto a vent cover, valve, or valve receiver of the vent.
 4. The ventadapter of claim 2, wherein the vent mechanical interface defines agasper mechanical interface that is configured to be received by agasper socket defined by or in an overhead passenger service unit. 5.The vent adapter of claim 2, wherein the vent mechanical interface isconfigured to couple to an overhead passenger service unit.
 6. The ventadapter of claim 5, wherein the vent mechanical interface includes oneor more hooks or clamps configured to be received in respective slots onopposite sides of the passenger service unit or to receive oppositeedges of the passenger service unit.
 7. The vent adapter of claim 1,wherein the vent adapter is integral with an overhead passenger serviceunit.
 8. The vent adapter of claim 1, wherein the vent is a gasper ductof an overhead passenger service unit.
 9. The vent adapter of claim 1,wherein the vent is a gasper vent of an overhead passenger service unit.10. The vent adapter of claim 1, wherein the air-supply interface isconfigured to receive multiple discrete air flows from separate vents orvent ducts.
 11. The vent adapter of claim 10, wherein the air curtain isa single continuous air curtain generated from each of the discrete airflows.
 12. The vent adapter of claim 1, wherein the air curtain is atleast partially curved.
 13. The vent adapter of claim 12, wherein theair curtain is configured to extend no more than approximately 90°around a seat.
 14. The vent adapter of claim 1, further comprising alight that generates a projection that indicates a location of the aircurtain on a solid surface onto which the air curtain lands.
 15. Amethod of installing the vent adapter of claim 1, comprising: removing agasper vent from an overhead passenger service unit in an aircraft; andcoupling the air-supply interface to a gasper duct of the airconditioning system.
 16. An air directing device for interfacing with anairplane interior air system, the air directing device comprising: ahousing defining an interior volume comprising an air reservoir, thehousing having an upper surface including a first upper aperture, alower surface including a first lower aperture, and sidewalls extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the first upper apertureis proportioned to receive a portion of an aircraft overhead systemcomprising at least a passenger service unit (PSU) or a distributor ofan air distribution system and the air reservoir is coupled to the firstupper aperture and the first lower aperture, the first lower aperturecomprising a blade nozzle defined by a periphery of the first loweraperture and wherein the air reservoir is configured to, upon receivingair by the air reservoir through the first upper aperture, direct theair to the blade nozzle through the first lower aperture to output afirst air curtain; and a vent mechanical interface coupled with theupper surface and configured to engage the upper surface with the PSUsuch that the first upper aperture receives the portion of the PSU. 17.The air directing device of claim 16, further comprising second andthird lower apertures, each of the lower apertures comprising bladenozzles defined by the periphery of the respective lower aperture. 18.The air directing device of claim 17, wherein the air reservoir definesa volume coupled to first, second, and third air channels, each of thechannels coupled to a lower aperture and the air reservoir is furtherconfigured to direct the air to the blade nozzles through the first,second, and third lower apertures to output first, second, and third aircurtains.
 19. The air directing device of claim 18, wherein the airdirecting device is positionable above a row of seats in the aircraft,the row of seats comprising first, second, and third seats, and whereinupon positioning the air directing device over the row of seats: thefirst air curtain is output between at least the first and second seats,the second air curtain is output between at least the second and thirdseats, and the third air curtain is output between at least the thirdseat and a sidewall of the aircraft.
 20. The air directing device ofclaim 16, further comprising an aperture coupled to the air reservoirand having a louver configured to open and close the aperture.
 21. Theair directing device of claim 16, further comprising a seal positionedaround the periphery of the first upper aperture, wherein the seal iscompressible when the upper surface is engaged with the PSU.
 22. The airdirecting device of claim 16, wherein the first upper aperture hasdimensions equal to or larger than dimensions of the portion of the PSUsuch that the first upper aperture is proportioned to receive theportion of the PSU comprising one or more air outlets.
 23. The airdirecting device of claim 16, further comprising second and third upperapertures, each of the upper apertures dimensioned to be equal to orlarger than air outlets of the PSU such that the first, second, andthird upper apertures are proportioned to receive a portion of one ormore air outlets, wherein the air reservoir is coupled to and receivesair through the first, second, and third upper apertures.
 24. The airdirecting device of claim 23, further comprising second and third lowerapertures, each of the lower apertures comprising blade nozzlesextending from the lower surface around the periphery of the respectivelower aperture, wherein the air reservoir comprises first, second, andthird air channels coupling the respective upper and lower apertures.25. An air device, comprising: a housing defining an interior volume,the housing having an upper surface defining a first upper aperture, alower surface defining a first lower aperture, and sidewalls extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the first lower aperturehas an interior side with a sloped edge and an exterior flange extendingfrom the lower surface around a periphery forming a blade nozzle; and avent mechanical interface coupled with the upper surface and configuredto engage the upper surface with a passenger service unit (PSU) of anaircraft such that the first upper aperture receives a portion of anaircraft overhead system comprising at least a PSU of an aircraft or adistributor of an air distribution system to a cabin of the aircraft.26. The air device of claim 25, further comprising an air reservoircoupled to the first upper and first lower apertures, wherein uponreceiving air by the air reservoir through the first upper aperture theair reservoir is configured to direct, based on the sidewalls of thehousing and the sloped edge of the first lower aperture, the air to theblade nozzle through the first lower aperture to output a first aircurtain.
 27. The air device of claim 26, further comprising second andthird lower apertures, each of the lower apertures comprising anexterior flange extending from the lower surface around a periphery ofthe respective lower aperture forming a respective blade nozzle.
 28. Theair device of claim 27, wherein the air reservoir is further configuredto direct the air to the blade nozzles through the first, second, andthird lower apertures to output first, second, and third air curtains.29. The air device of claim 25, wherein the vent mechanical interfacecomprises a clip having dimensions that allow the clip to be inserted ina gap in the PSU or a gap between the PSU and an overhead panel.
 30. Theair device of claim 25, wherein the vent mechanical interface isconfigured to engage with at least one of a lower surface of the PSU oran overhead panel adjacent to the PSU and the vent mechanical interfacecomprises at least one of hook and loop connectors, a clip, a hook,adhesives, or foam.
 31. The air device of claim 25, further comprising aseal positioned on the upper surface surrounding the periphery of thefirst upper aperture and compressible when the upper surface is engagedwith the PSU.
 32. The air device of claim 25, wherein the first upperaperture has dimensions equal to or larger than dimensions of theportion of the PSU such that the first upper aperture is proportioned toreceive the portion of the PSU comprising one or more air outlets. 33.The air device of claim 25, wherein the blade nozzle has an arc-shapedcross-section having an arc angle between 10 and 120 degrees.
 34. An airdevice, comprising: a means for receiving air from a passenger serviceunit (PSU) of an aircraft; a means for outputting an air curtain; ameans for directing the received air to the means for outputting the aircurtain; and a means for engaging the air device with the PSU.
 35. Theair device of claim 34, wherein the air device is positionable aboveseats of the aircraft.
 36. An air directing device for interfacing withan airplane interior air system, the air directing device comprising: ahousing defining an interior volume comprising an air reservoir, thehousing having an upper surface including a first upper aperture, alower surface including a first lower aperture, and sidewalls extendingbetween the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the first upper apertureis proportioned to receive a portion of a passenger service unit (PSU)and the air reservoir is coupled to the first upper aperture and thefirst lower aperture, the first lower aperture comprising a blade nozzleextending from the lower surface around a periphery of the first loweraperture and wherein the air reservoir is configured to, upon receivingair by the air reservoir through the first upper aperture, direct theair to the blade nozzle through the first lower aperture to output afirst air curtain; and a vent mechanical interface coupled with theupper surface and configured to engage the upper surface with the PSUsuch that the first upper aperture receives the portion of the PSU. 37.An air directing device for interfacing with an airplane interior airsystem, the air directing device comprising: a housing defining aninterior volume comprising an air reservoir, the housing having an uppersurface including a first upper aperture, a lower surface including afirst lower aperture, and sidewalls extending between the upper andlower surfaces, wherein the air reservoir is coupled to the first upperaperture and the first lower aperture, the first lower aperturecomprising a blade nozzle defined by the first lower aperture andwherein the air reservoir is configured to, upon receiving air by theair reservoir through the first upper aperture, direct the air to theblade nozzle through the first lower aperture to output a first aircurtain; and a vent mechanical interface coupled with the upper surfaceand configured to engage the upper surface with a distributor of an airdistribution system, the distributor comprising a housing defining anair cavity.
 38. The air directing device of claim 37 wherein, when theupper surface is engaged with the distributor, a portion of the airreservoir is positioned within the air cavity defined by the housing ofthe distributor.